Gayle looks for whirlwind finish

EXPECT more fireworks today in St Lucia in the fifth and final ODI of an incredible series between West Indies and England.

Records have tumbled already in the Caribbean and England, who lead 2-1, can erase the memories of a poor Test performance by taking this series.

The third ODI was rained off in Grenada but England then posted their largest overseas score of 418-6 including a world record 24 sixes with captain Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler both hitting centuries.

Windies legend Chris Gayle – the self-styled ‘Universe Boss” – almost led his side to an unlikely triumph, hitting 162 off 97 balls.

England managed to bowl the hosts out though for a 29-run success and this final frame is mouth-watering.

The hosts have only won two of their last twelve ODIs at this venue – and one of those was against Afghanistan. England won two of their three matches here in the

2007 World Cup and both T20s back in 2010.

The tourists are 1-3 for the win and a 3-1 series victory, while the Windies are 11-5

to tie it all up PEARSON’S at 2-2. Gayle – who has the second highest ODI score of

124 on this ground and hit 135 in Barbados early in this series as well as a mammoth score on Wednesday – is 3-1 to top the run charts for the home side.

Joe Root, who scored

122 in the Test here last month and 102 in the first ODI, is boosted to 7-2 market leader to score most runs for England with Morgan and Buttler 4-1 and 5-1.

Morgan’s side will wrap up their Windies tour with three T20s next week ahead of a home ODI series against Pakistan.

That will lead into the ICC World Cup before they end a busy summer with the Ashes.

England are 8-11 to regain the urn after losing with a whimper Down Under early last year.

The Aussies are 15-8 to win the series.

MARCO SILVA will need Everton to keep up their new-found form if the Toffees are to upset the odds in tomorrow’s huge Merseyside derby.

Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice and Dominic CalvertLewin once as Everton won 3-0 in midweek at Cardiff to end a run of three defeats.

And Silva said: “I hope the Cardiff result can give us the boost we need and we all want a good result on Sunday.”

The Portuguese boss knows the 200th local derby, at Goodison Park, could prove pivotal in the title race. Opponents Liverpool are one point ahead of

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City with 10 games left to play.

However I do not believe the Blues have the players to stifle the Reds as injury-hit Manchester United managed to do so successfully at Old Trafford last weekend.

Only a Jordan Pickford howler decided the derby at Anfield in December but the Blues were in a better place then and Silva is struggling to find his best side.

Everton have not won any of the last 18 Merseyside derbies – including 16 in the Premier League – and I fail to see how they will cope with the pace of Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.

Jurgen Klopp has done many things right during his time at Anfield but leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold out at Old Trafford was an error as the youngster’s hat-trick of assists against a lethargic Watford showed in midweek.

The Reds are 3-5 to take the points back across Stanley Park at BetVictor with the Blues 5-1 and the draw at 16-5.

Liverpool are 11-8 for the title with City 8-15 – but it could all turn on one game and with that in mind 11-8 is too big.

I hope that Silva can test Liverpool’s title credentials – but this is one Evertonian who fears the worst.

They need Andre Gomes and Richarlison firing on all cylinders to stand any chance.

If Theo Walcott starts for the Toffees I might combust – it is fair to say I am not the biggest fan of the former Arsenal star.

The optimist in me says Everton can compete but my head tells me that Liverpool -1 on the handicap at 13-8 is again too big.

There have been 21 sendings off in this fixture in the Premier League and it is 3-1 that Martin Atkinson – who once wrongly sent off Jack Rodwell in a derby – shows red tomorrow.

Virgil Van Dijk is 4-6 to be named PFA Player of the Year with Raheem Sterling 8-11 to be win the Young Player of the Year award.

One of them will also have a Premier League winners’ medal for 2018-19 – but who?

I think it will be advantage Liverpool come close of play tomorrow.

Ref Martn Atkinson to show red in the derby ........... 3-1

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